A little bit of this and a little bit of that, creates a fusion between Grand Tourist (my travel company) and Educated Traveller (my blog).

To understand what inspires and motivates me, have a glance through the photos below. I use my experiences and inspiration to craft small group tours, journeys really, that are unique and original. Every trip is different. Our itineraries often evolve even when we are on the road….

If you’d like to discover more….here’s a pictorial record of my thoughts and observations over the last three months……

Photos include Naples, Palermo, Monreale, Milan, Venice, Lido and Wales and most dangerously random elements from my brain……

Not only did I visit one of the villas featured in ‘The White Lotus’ TV series, I also had the chance to fly into the beautifully retro Linate Airport, Milan….. could have been on an Etro mission, I couldn’t possibly comment….

Next I was discovering how to really make pesto! On the Liguria coastline of course…

and then there’s Venice, beautiful Venice and the lagoon and Lido…..

And Lucy’s book, my fantastic daughter’s debut novel. It’s really very good. The title is ‘Leaving Stra’ details at the bottom of this article…..

We love Italy, we love Venice and we adore the lagoon. If you want to experience something amazing in Italy, something original and unique, then drop us a line……

There’s always something new to learn in Italy.

New for 2026, bird-watching trips on the lagoon. Also monastery visits to the less well known parts of Venice and the lagoon. Also in 2026 we’ll be offering our spectacular ‘Italian Lakes Trip’ including boat trips on every lake, Italian style champagne cellar visit and a visit to a historic Riva speedboat collection (think James Bond)…..

If you have a favourite photo, a favourite destination or a fun story you’d like to share about Italy, then tell me, I’ll include it in a future blog article.

Meanwhile happy dreaming – your next Italian journey is just a phone call away….

Looking for inspiration – you can see our 2026 small group tours here…

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A NOTE ON THE AUTHOR – My name is Janet Simmonds, I am a tour guide, travel writer and Italy expert. I have Master’s degrees from Oxford University and Manchester University in Geography and History of Art. I write a blog about travel called ‘The Educated Traveller’ where I consider journeys in Europe, especially Italy, The Alps, Greece and the British Isles. I have written hundreds of articles over the last ten years covering history, culture, art, geography, film, food, wine and life. I’m especially interested in the philosophy of the journey. I am the founder and owner of www.grand-tourist.com a specialist travel company with a focus on unique journeys in Europe, especially Italy and the Alps.

To discover more about my travel philosophy I invite you to visit my blog: www.educated-traveller.com

A WRITER IN OUR MIDST – My daughter Lucy often helps me on tours and with clients. Her debut novel, set at Villa Pisani on the Brenta Canal, is available now. Lucy’s novel is available on Amazon.

• ISBN 13: 9783000810282
• Published: January, 2025

_{Lucy’s debut novel – Leaving Stra, published January, 2025 – give it a try. it’s excellent!}

January 2026